The annual Halloween celebration brought all kinds of characters to the aquarium.
By
Katie Johns
| 7:34 p.m. October 21, 2016
Longboat Key
Neighbors
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Although it’s still a few days away, those at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Oct. 21 were already feeling the Halloween spirit.
From princesses and superheroes, to policemen and mermaids, there were all sorts of characters at Mote’s annual Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
The Halloween celebration invites kids and their parents to dress up for a night of fun that includes trick-or-treating, live music, underwater pumpkin carving by staff, face painting and various Mommy and Me sessions.
Gus Owen, 4, who moved to the area in May with his mom, Michelle, said he was most looking forward to the games.
Jamie and Scott Jalwan attended in celebration of their son Connor’s first Halloween. This year, the family of the three was dressed as a chef, steak and lobster.
One thing they’re excited about for future Halloweens:
“Dressing up in coordinated costumes,” Jamie Jalwan said.
The Jalwans weren’t the only ones to coordinate costumes. Between families of ghosts and Ghostbusters and moms and daughters dressed as Elsa and Anna from “Frozen,” it was clear the event was centered around family.
Trinity Lemurian, 6, dressed as a mermaid, while her mom, Lisamichelle, posed as a net that was trying to catch her. This was Trinity’s fifth time attending the event.
Tom and Charlotte Hedge with Preston, 7, and Alexander, 4
Makenna Lee, 3, gets her face painted by Akiko at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright
Shirley Fehr and Aliyah Clyburn sing “Roar” by Katy Perry at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright on Oct. 21.
Danny, 3 and Chris Conetta, 2
Danny, 3 and Chris Conetta, 2, look at the candy they collected at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
Mario and Jessica Bringas with Alejandro, 3, and Anabela, 1
Danielle and Lucas Madden, 4
Julian Rivera 2, picks out candy at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
Michelle and Gus Owen, 4, attended Mote’ Night of Fish, Fun and Fright for the first time this year.
Zoe Brookshire, 4, picks out a piece of candy at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright on Oct. 21.
Ava and Zoe Brookshire, both 4
Scott and Jamie Jalwan are celebrating their son Connor’s first Halloween this year.
Trinity, 6, and Lisamichelle Lemurian
Mote staff carve pumpkins in one of the fish tanks during the Night of Fish, Fun and Fright on Oct. 21.
Mote staff carve pumpkins in one of the fish tanks during the Night of Fish, Fun and Fright on Oct. 21.
Yanick Welihozkiy, 3, plays a game during Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
Yanick, 3, and Anja Welihozkiy
Susan and Faith Class, 7
Ivy Warner, 2 ½
Ivy Warner, 2 ½ , flaps her “wings” during Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
Kids play games with Mote staff during the Night of Fish, Fun and Fright on Oct. 21.
A painted pumpkin as Karenia Brevis, or red tide
Twins Olivia and Imogen Jackson, 2 ½
Brian, 3, and Laura Llorca watch the sharks at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright
Natalie Beard, 3 ½
Live music played throughout the aquarium as guests enjoyed games and trick-or-treating at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
Danny Conetta, 3, and Payton Stewart, 4, stand with Gilly the Shark at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
Kelsey Lodge, 3, finger paints at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright on Oct. 21.
Abby Smith, 3, and Maicey Bolman, 3
Gabriella Fabyonic, 6, Cooper Robertson, 6, and Lila Robertson, 8
Jessa Winn, 6 and Lauren Taylor-Nock, 7
Mandy Wrobel, Senior Public Program Coordinator for Mote, greets kids as they join a Mommy and Me Session at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
Mandy Wrobel, Senior Public Program Coordinator for Mote, reads a book to guests during a Mommy and Me session at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
Mandy Wrobel, Senior Public Program Coordinator for Mote, reads a book to guests during a Mommy and Me session at Mote’s Night of Fish, Fun and Fright.
